X-Adventure Dunsborough
Athletes Rise to the Challenge at X-Adventure Dunsborough
Press Release / 12.04.2021
Reigning champions Brendon Dimmer and Kristen Gardner held off their nearest rivals to take X-Adventure Dunsborough glory, be crowned State Champions and earn their place at the ITU World Triathlon Championships (off-road) in September.
More than 1,500 athletes descended on Dunsborough over the weekend of 10-11 April to take part at X-Adventure Dunsborough, which is known as Australia’s largest off-road triathlon featuring five different races with solo and relay-style teams.
Race conditions for the premier Long Course race on Sunday were an additional challenge for the hardened competitors with over 40ml of rain and 20 knots of wind battering the course! The course included a 1500m ocean swim, 12km trail run, and 20km mountain bike ride.
As Rapid Ascent race director Sam Maffett described, “when the going gets tough, the tough get going – and that’s exactly what we saw.”
Dimmer pulled away from his nearest rivals Zeke Tinely and Victorian elite athlete Emanuel (Manu) Hovette in the blustering conditions, managing to finish more than 10 minutes clear in a time of 2:26:28.
“My strong point is usually the run; but Zeke was hard to catch up front after the swim. Unfortunately on the mountain bike leg, Zeke’s tyre popped so I had the final sections of the course to myself,” said Dimmer.
“Overall, it was a pretty tough day out especially when the rain came in on the bike; but I am happy with the win,” added Dimmer.
Hovette, who travelled over from Victoria to take on the West Australian’s, held on for second place in a time of 2:37:18, with Jarryn Heldt in third (2:39:49). Tinley was unlucky with a DNF.
We were treated to an epic State battle in the women’s field with local girl Kristen Gardner (WA) and multiple age group World Champion Kate Bramley (VIC) putting on a spectacular race. Gardner held top spot in her fifth year of podium finishes at X-Adventure, clocking a time of 2:49:57, with Bramley in second (2:50:51), and Phip Hughes in third (2:58:38).
“It was a great battle; Kate and I swapped the lead a few times throughout the race,” said Gardner.
“I thought I was in a major deficit on the run leg after having a year off running with injury but being able to hold on at the end was great!” added Gardner.
With international travel and races out of the question, Bramley was excited to be racing the picturesque course.
“It was fantastic to be racing again, really good!” said Bramley. “This year I thought, why not explore Australia with races!”
In the X-Adventure Short Course on Saturday, competitors were treated to near perfect race conditions, with the race fulfilling the event slogan of ‘racing through paradise’ - a far cry from Sunday’s deluging rain and wind!
Bran Johnston proved too strong in the men’s event finishing in a time of 1:30:35, with Joanna Jenkin our winning female in a time of 1:36:12. The Short Course involved a 700 metre ocean swim, 6km coastal trail run and 11km mountain bike.
The Aquathlon-X on Sunday (1km swim, 5km trail run) was won by Novak Van Herwaarde and Nicola Hayes in times of 0:48:14 and 0:51:24, respectively, with the course accurately described as a washing machine – very different to the normally mirror-smooth Geographe Bay we are more accustomed to.
Held over two days, the off-road races were accompanied by two specific-Kids events which attracted over 300 school-aged children, many of them locals. Their enthusiasm and determination was incredibly inspiring and, with the help of supportive family and friends, created a great atmosphere at the event.
Event Manager Sam Maffett said it was a fantastic display of why X-Adventure is regarded so highly as an inclusive off-road racing weekend.
“It has genuinely been a great couple of days of off-road sport for athletes of all abilities, from kids to professional athletes - there was something for everyone,” said Maffett.
“All athletes rose to the challenges the weather and course provided with smiles on their faces to complete another epic weekend of racing,” continued Maffett. “Well done and thank you to all who raced, as well as those involved as support crews, spectators, and our sponsors.”
X-Adventure Dunsborough returns in 2022 on 2-3 April, 2022.
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